The second and final low pressure system this week is making a move on Minnesota today. Rain showers will spread northward from Iowa today and reach into the metro this afternoon and northern Minnesota by this evening.

This next system does not look quite as potent as Tuesday’s, but should produce .25″ to .50″ in many locations.

It looks as if this may be the last significant low pressure storm to hit Minnesota for a while. After a blustery chilly Thursday, it appears the sun will return by Friday afternoon.

There are signs in the medium range forecast models that temperatures could rise to summer like levels in the next 10 days. A big dome of upper level high pressure could cause a build up of heat in the Midwest, and send very warm air north into Minnesota and Wisconsin by the weekend of May 22nd.

Early indications are temperatures could be well into the upper 80s if the models verify. A shot at the first 90 of the year in Minnesota or Wisconsin is not out of the question.

The overall pattern looks much warmer and drier over the next two weeks. If we can get through the next 48 hours, you’ll enjoy the warm up in store as we move through the weekend.

About the blogger

Paul Huttner is chief meteorologist for Minnesota Public Radio. Huttner has worked TV and radio stations in Minneapolis, Tucson and Chicago. Paul is a graduate of Macalester College in St. Paul and holds a bachelor’s degree in geography with an emphasis in meteorology.